Page 29 of The Rough Ride

“Why? That one’s got two pool tables and three sports TVs.”

“The bar honey hangs out there.”

Derek’s snicker didn’t go unnoticed.

“You’re gonna run into her sometime. At least you’ve got a wingman with you tonight to chase her off if necessary.”

“Very funny, D. Give me thirty. I’ll meet you there.”

The tavern wasa throwback to the previous century with its dark, glossy wood and brass rails. The slow beat of country music twanged from a DJ in the corner, while the waitressesall wore their emblematic pushup bras and cleavage. “Congratulations on the new baby. What’d you name her?” Nick shoved a slice of lime down the neck of a Corona.

“Catherine Annabelle, a family name on Maggie’s side. That’s the long version. We both agreed on Catherine. I’m hoping forCatie. Life’s too short to have a long name. I’ll admit, though, I’d have let Maggie name her whatever she wanted after watching what it took to bring our little girl into this world. I’ve never been so terrified and happy at the same time.”

Nick’s thoughts snapped to Liz and Ella.She’d brought that baby into this world all by herself.“I’ve heard it’s intense.”

“Intense? Dude, I’d have jumped in there and pushedforher after the half hour mark. I just kept doing whatever Mags asked me to do. Rub her back…wipe her face…get the ice chips…I’d be surprised if she ever has sex with me again.” Derek laughed. “One minute, she collapsed onto the pillows and said she couldn’t do it anymore, and two minutes later, Catie was born. It was dope, man.”

Nick swigged his Corona. “Who’s she look like?”

“Herself, I guess, but that hair comes from Maggie’s gene pool. It’s thick and black. Sticks out all over her head. Girl’s got a set of lungs, too. Nobody sleeps when she’s hungry. That’s enough about me. What happened with Liz?”

Nick twirled a french fry in the ketchup on his plate.

Derek elbowed him in the ribs. “C’mon, dude, you guys fight over something stupid and break up again?”

Nick shifted in his seat. “We’ve only broken up once, and that was high school.”

“True, but there was the Paris thing if I remember—”

“Liz had a baby.” Nick dropped the french fry on the plate and grabbed his beer.

Derek pulled the burger out of his mouth without taking a bite and turned to face him. “You’re shittin’ me.”

“I’m serious, bro.”I wish I wasn’t.

“How the hell did she have a baby without any of us knowing? I mean, the woman has some serious contacts and friends. I haven’t heard a whisper about this. We just saw her a few weeks ago during the Reardon Sanctuary rescue. She didn’t look any different.”

Oh yes, she did. Those curves.“The baby’s name is Ella. She’s six months old. Liz’s had a chance to bounce back. Arlene, her mom, has been helping her.”

Derek’s eyes softened, and he lowered his voice. “Did she say who the baby daddy is?”

“A single officer who told her to handle it.” Nick clenched and unclenched his fist on the bar top. “A one-time thing.” He caught the bartender’s eye and held up two fingers. “This conversation is confidential, okay? The last thing she needs right now is a bunch of emails congratulating her and prying for details.”

Derek crossed two fingers against his heart. “Not a soul, man.”

The bartender set two more beers on the counter and added two shot glasses and a bottle of tequila.

Nick shook his head. “No shooters tonight.”

“I don’t know, bro, it seems like a good time to indulge. My wife gave me permission to have some fun, and you just got kicked in the nuts.”

“I’ve got to keep my eye on that weather channel up there. That hurricane that hit the Gulf states? Mason’s already packed up. He’s on standby to deploy with the Guard. I need to know if and when it happens so I can get a replacement over to the Richardson’s.”

Derek nodded. “How’s he been doing with them?”

“Just fine. He’s a solid guy. Still settling in. You’ve only been gone nine days.”

“Feels like a month to me, but I’m wading through new territory on the home front. I wish I could help if Mason goes south, but my mother-in-law is leaving later this week, and then the fun begins. I gotta be there to help Mags, even if I just vacuum and get the groceries or some carryout.”

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